Sunshine Falling

Here it is. Fall again. Spring had always been my season. I loved the new blooms and the warm air coming in. My birthday is in May so that probably played a large role in my love of the season. But seven years ago a new season took over for me. Seven years ago I began to see things differently.

We were still fairly new to the midwest so the Fall colors lit up my days like I'd never experienced before. I saw colors in nature I'd never seen.  We were anticipating the birth of our first baby. Gracie came in November and I anticipated that day with so much hope and love that it happened. Fall became, for me, the best time of year.

Fast forward seven years and three babies born in November and this time of year is exciting! I am still floored by these colors. Every chance we get I ooo and aww over this canvas that God creates for us. In the car the kids and I like to point out the beautiful reds and oranges as they start to peep through the foliage. The weather turns cool and we light the fire and snuggle up with a movie. We roast marshmallows in the back yard. We celebrate these babies and another good year with them.

Right now we are struggling through illness. For the past three weeks one of my sweet littles has been sick. I suppose it's better than all at once but it sure does drag on like this. I can catch myself frustrated at life and letting the joy fall out. Angry that sickness exists and that I have to watch my babies in pain. But then we hop in the car to drive through Chick-fil-A (because a mom has got to get out of the house y'all) and we ooo and aww over the colors. The trees in our neighborhood are like fire. The burning bushes are a shade of pink only God could create. The orange leaves are starting to fall to the ground and they look like sunshine. Sunshine Falling. And there it is...a little lift in my step. Thank you Father for the reminders of who you are - creator, sustainer, life-giver. Sometimes my eyes get clouded by the weight of it all. But today I see the sunshine you've laid out before me. Joy.